But a robe of State such as
this,--however well the garment may be worn with practice,--can never
be the raiment natural to a man; and men, dressing themselves in
women's eyes, have consented to walk about in buckram. A composure of
the eye, which has been studied, a reticence as to the little things
of life, a certain slowness of speech unless the occasion call for
passion, an indifference to small surroundings, these,--joined, of
course, with personal bravery,--are supposed to constitute manliness.
That personal bravery is required in the composition of manliness
must be conceded, though, of all the ingredients needed, it is the
lowest in value. But the first requirement of all must be described
by a negative. Manliness is not compatible with affectation. Women's
virtues, all feminine attributes, may be marred by affectation, but
the virtues and the vice may co-exist. An affected man, too, may
be honest, may be generous, may be pious;--but surely he cannot
be manly. The self-conscious assumption of any outward manner,
the striving to add,--even though it be but a tenth of a cubit to
the height,--is fatal, and will at once banish the all but divine
attribute.
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